Spanish Prisoners @ Cakeshop: Periwinkle Blues

Back in February (following his NYC gig with Daniel Johnston), I interviewed Leo Maymind, the alluring frontman of Spanish Prisoners. During that Q&A, he described SP's tunes as 'eclectic noisy chamber pop'. The band's debut LP, Songs To Forget, does indeed marry the aforementioned genres into one giant pool of cohesion. However, last night's performance was certainly more electric and robust than the majority of SP's recorded material. Accompanied by a multi talented keyboardist (with a penchant for melodica & glockenspiel) alongside an adroit drummer, Spanish Prisoners produced a full and opulent eight track set. Sample a handful of tunes and view upcoming tour dates at their official MySpace page.

MP3: Spanish Prisoners - Some Among Them Are Killers

Posted on 1:00 PM / 0 comments / Read More

Drink Up Buttercup @ Cakeshop: Gods & Gentlemen

It was approximately eight weeks ago when I first became enamored with Philly based quartet, Drink Up Buttercup. Their opening set for The Lisps @ Union Hall was fierce, playful and sincerely unforgettable (review here). Earlier this month, I got the opportunity to rave about DUB as a contributor on Blog Fresh Radio. With their appearance at our 3rd Anniversary Extravaganza just two short weeks away (6/14 @ Pianos), it was a no brainer to tease myself for the big night with another behemoth Drink Up Buttercup gig. From start to finish, DUB's half hour set melded bits of psychedelica, '60s pop, manic jazz & warped bluegrass into sheer exquisiteness. Visit Drink Up Buttercup on MySpace. MP3 at bottom.

MP3: Drink Up Buttercup - Gods & Gentlemen [alt link]

Posted on 9:55 AM / 0 comments / Read More

The Faggots @ Cakeshop: L.E.S. Brainchildren

When he's not fulfilling his duties in Cheese On Bread or releasing sparkling solo records, Dan Fishback fronts his part time side project, The Faggots. On Saturday night the 3-piece was joined by legendary Pansy Division drummer, Luis Illades, for the entirety of their forty minute set. The band's first gig in over a year was a quirky, kitschy and brilliantly scattered punk love affair. Learn more about The Faggots at their official MySpace page. Accompanying photo courtesy of Lippe. Download a Faggots track at bottom of post.

MP3: The Faggots - Party In Yr Pants [alt link]

Posted on 9:00 PM / 0 comments / Read More

The Last Shadow Puppets @ Cakeshop: Surprise, Surprise

Plagued by an unfortunate host of sound issues, The Last Shadow Puppets performed their second-ever gig last night at New York City's Cakeshop. For those still in the dark, TLSP is comprised of Miles from The Rascals & Alex from Arctic Monkeys. Around 7:30pm, word spread that the duo would be making a brief appearance at the Lower East Side venue. By midnight, the 200-capacity spot was packed to full capacity.

The band's set was short and sweet, consisting of eight tunes from their forthcoming debut album, each clocking in around three minutes in length. The songs sound distinctly British, instantly alluring and positively charming. Due to the aforementioned technical problems, the evening was probably not the best introduction to the musical twosome. However, all in all, a lovely treat on an otherwise monotonous winter's Wednesday.

Watch a video of 'The Age...' from their debut show at Brooklyn's Soundfix Records here.

Read The Last Shadow Puppets' official biography here (courtesy of Domino Records).



MP3: The Last Shadow Puppets - The Age... (Live) [alt link]

Posted on 7:00 AM / 0 comments / Read More

Post #1300: Hologram @ Cakeshop: Shining Brightly

Two weeks ago I brought your attention to local trio, Hologram. It seems like either many of you took my advice to check out the band at Cakeshop or Hologram already has a loyal following as the tiny space was damn packed for a chilly Monday evening.

Last Monday was my first time seeing the band and I was truly surprised to see the skill level of each member. Exchanging vocals, instruments and melodies effortlessly from tune to tune. Handmade CD EPs added a nice touch (always appreciate some DIY). Ch-ch-check 'em out.

Posted on 11:21 AM / 0 comments / Read More

O'Death @ Cakeshop: Bringing New Year's To A Frenzy!

There was surely no other NYE show last night that I would have rather been at than O'Death at Cakeshop. The Slut-stars took the stage around 11:30 to a packed and rowdy bunch down on Ludlow Street.

Their set included some newbies but mostly the big guns from their debut LP, Head Home including a rip-roaring version of album-opening 'Down To Rest' which brought the pit into nasty sweaty convulsions. A truly spectacular way to cap off the year. Anyone go to Clap Your Hands? How empty was Hammerstein?

MP3: O'Death - Down To Rest

Posted on 9:35 AM / 0 comments / Read More

Chocolate Soda For Your Baby Brother!

Cakeshop needs YOUR HELP! here's their latest MySpace message, posted just moments ago:

not a joke, and not pedophilic:
someone mentioned they know of a 11 year old preteen RAMONES tribute band in NYC...does anyone know about this young rock phenom? if anyones got a line on this awesome thing, i need them for a show this coming saturday, ulp! if anyone knows of another tribute band in this vein (but not "l'il gnr"), get in touch RIGHT NOW!
+++ if not that, then:
also looking for a cover band made up of people who are 10-15 years old. ideally someones little brothers band, and they pretty much need to know about 20 covers, weezer, blink 182, green day, nirvana and all that classic rock shit they love. this is also for a gig that is taking place in two days, it pays ok and we got chocolate soda for 'em. hurry!!
+++if that doesnt work, then:
i need a super animated costume wearing band (think kid america/gwar/peelander z/etc) that indie comic dudes (who really want to watch T.a.T.U circa 2002 anyway) would want to watch and pick apart or be entertained by.

everything i had for this night fell apart!
and dont reply if you're some gin blossoms influenced turd rock getting really wild and dressing up like KISS for the evening & just want a gig. though i guess that could be funny too.

THANKS

Posted on 12:57 PM / 0 comments / Read More

Chocolate Soda For Your Baby Brother!

Cakeshop needs YOUR HELP! here's their latest MySpace message, posted just moments ago:

not a joke, and not pedophilic:
someone mentioned they know of a 11 year old preteen RAMONES tribute band in NYC...does anyone know about this young rock phenom? if anyones got a line on this awesome thing, i need them for a show this coming saturday, ulp! if anyone knows of another tribute band in this vein (but not "l'il gnr"), get in touch RIGHT NOW!
+++ if not that, then:
also looking for a cover band made up of people who are 10-15 years old. ideally someones little brothers band, and they pretty much need to know about 20 covers, weezer, blink 182, green day, nirvana and all that classic rock shit they love. this is also for a gig that is taking place in two days, it pays ok and we got chocolate soda for 'em. hurry!!
+++if that doesnt work, then:
i need a super animated costume wearing band (think kid america/gwar/peelander z/etc) that indie comic dudes (who really want to watch T.a.T.U circa 2002 anyway) would want to watch and pick apart or be entertained by.

everything i had for this night fell apart!
and dont reply if you're some gin blossoms influenced turd rock getting really wild and dressing up like KISS for the evening & just want a gig. though i guess that could be funny too.

THANKS

Posted on 12:57 PM / 0 comments / Read More